Ruminant animals have coexisted alongside man since the dawn of our species. Cultures before us have thrived off the nutrients in red meat a vital piece in lasting through the Winter. With all the commotion on this topic these days we’re going to talk facts on the benefits of red meat consumption.

benefits of red meat consumption

Humans Are No Doubt Omnivores

Humans are omnivores, meaning we’re able to consume a wide range of foods from plants to animals. Ancestry lines indicate that our earliest ancestors have been known to consume both plants and animals. Red meat is a nutrient dense food that has vitamins and minerals not found in other sources of food.

The Top Benefits Of Eating Red Meat

Vitamin B12: The lack of B12 in the Vegan diet has lead to many health problems. The Harvard Medical School states that B12 deficiency can lead to depression, fatigue, memory loss, and anaemia. Vitamin B12 is crucial in the development of proteins and DNA and a key component in the metabolisation of energy. Another key component of this vitamin is brain function and studies have shown that a lack of B12 in ones diet actually causes the brain to shrink!

Vitamin D3: Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin. It is natural for our bodies to produce Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, yet it can be found in red meat sources like liver which we will discuss more at the end of this article. Need some happy news? The University of Maryland Medical Center states that Vitamin D deficiency causes depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), mood swings, frequent infections and high blood pressure

Carnosine: Carnosine is powerful antioxidant which helps the body fight off free radicals that cause oxidative stress. It’s also known to prevent cross-linking in brain cell membranes which have been linked to age related diseases. Carnosine is found in beef, lamb, rabbit, venison and veal. Strictly limited to red meat sources carnosine is one of the best benefits of red meat consumption.

Iron: Red meat is a powerhouse when it comes to providing iron that is most importantly bioavailable. Bioavailable is a term that means it is easily digested and absorbed for the body to utilize. Iron contributes to the formation of haemoglobin, myoglobin, and the enzymes catalase, peroxidase & cytochrome oxidase. It’s also essential for growth for infants and children so vegan parents be aware of the major growth stagnation that can occur from lack of iron in a child’s diet.

Carnitine: Carnitine is a nutrient that has been shown to improve mitochondrial function. Those with a diet lacking in carnitine have lower levels of the antioxidant glutathione, which can increase oxidative stress and degenerate cells. Carnitine also helps shuttle fats into mitochondria for energy production which contributes to the energy level of everyone!

Copper: I bet you didn’t know copper is an important mineral for men and women? It’s found in animal foods such as red meat, especially high in liver. Copper is an essential mineral that is often overlooked in a healthy diet. It provides additional benefit to those who suffer from seasonal allergies and can dramatically help to improve histamine response. One of the most underrated aspects when looking at the benefits of red meat consumption.

Saturated Fats: Now don’t get mixed up, saturated fats are not created equal. Trans saturated fats are the bad ones to look out for and are found mostly in commercial food products using palm oil and margarine etc. Saturated fats are a fuel source used by the body in the development of hormones, cell regulation and energy metabolism. They are also an important component of structural tissues in the body that keep the body warm by maintaining the controlled temperature of our cells. Saturated fats are one of the major benefits of red meat consumption and allow us to transcend our normal energy requirements

Read More: The Benefits Of Zinc On Immunity

The Quality Of Meat Matters!

Just as important as eating red meat for its benefits includes being aware of where the meat is coming from. Cattle and ruminants that are raised on hormones, steroids and soy based feed are detrimental to our health and its a bad industry to support. Choosing grass ged meat and organic or free range farm animals is beneficial on every aspect, from quality of meat and sustainability of the environment. If you’re looking for the benefits of red meat consumption its really important to focus on the quality too.

Benefits of Eating Grass Fed Red Meat

Sustainable – grazing animals on grass produces more meat than grain based beef. The extra health benefits red meat offers is because of the high concentration of nutrients in grass grown food.

Hormone Free Red Meat – Hormones are used to stimulate growth and improve carcass quality. Artificial hormones put your health at risk, especially during pregnancy.

Antibiotic Free – Most antibiotics used in the raising of animals are fed to animals in feed which infects them and results in them not being able to produce meat for humans. When you buy grass-fed meat, there isn’t a nastiness involved.

The Best Cuts Of Red Meat For Your Health

benefits of red meat consumption

Chuck Steak: Chuck steak is traditionally a cheaper cut of the steak which requires slow cooking to break down the tissue in the meat. This cut of meat is very high in collagen and in turn is high in digestible and key nutrients such as the amino acid proline which is responsible for helping build muscle.

Ground Beef: Ground beef can be a great source of lean protein if you choose the right cuts. Look for organic, grass fed and hormone free ground beef for maximum nutrients. If you don’t want to buy meat in bulk this meat will freeze well so you only have to cook it once. Ground beef is loaded with saturated fats that your body will utilise in many bodily functions.

Liver: There is no food more nutritious then this, in fact per gram it is the worlds most bioavailable nutritious food source. Traditionally reserved for pregnant woman in cultures of the past or the alpha dominant animal this food source packs a punch. Loaded with vitamin A, copper, zinc, vitamin B12, B6 you will feel a rush of energy when consuming this food. You only require 50-60g of this food a week to be claiming its huge benefits of overall health. This is one of the top benefits of red meat consumption available to us in a weekly diet.

Heart: Loaded with Coenzyme Q10 is not only beneficial to the heart, but for all cells. It’s an essential nutrient that is responsible for creating all cellular energy. It helps the body by promoting normal heart function, healthy cholesterol levels, healthy blood pressure and an anti-aging effect on cells.

Rib Eye: One of the most popular cuts of red meat is the rib eye which is an amazing cut to prepare for dinner. The rib eye is a great source of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) which makes this meat an excellent source of fat loss and anti-aging benefits. Rib Eye steak will be pricier than most cuts of red meat but the health benefits are definitely worth it.

Sirloin Steak: Sirloin steak is a good source of protein for the price, especially if you’re looking to cut down on fats. This cut of meat is high in protein and low in fat Omega 6. If you are looking to load up on protein this is a great option!

Support Local Independant Butchers

In todays economy it is highly suggested to support local butchers when it comes to buying your red meat. Check out your local butcher, ask them if they know where the meat is coming from and who the farmer is. Many small businesses are not able to make it through the day without your support which benefits you as a consumer.

Purchasing locally produced food, red meat or otherwise will benefit you in more ways then you may think. As a bonus, visit your local butcher! You’ll be supporting local jobs, small business owners and eating healthy at the same time. Many butchers are jam packed with great knowledge and will further your knowledge on the benefits of red meat consumption.

Can Grass Fed Meat Help With Weight Loss?

The short answer to this question is yes, grass fed red meat helps with weight loss for many people. For some people, having meat in their diet can be helpful when trying to lose weight. The reason is simple, the higher the concentration of nutrients in grass grown beef, the more fat burning benefits you receive from it.

Many Benefits To Consuming Red Meat

When it comes to red meat consuming this once or twice weekly at a minimum from various cuts will lay a great foundation of health. Mixing up which cut of meat you use, from muscle meat to organ meat will safeguard your health with a huge range of vitamins and minerals bioavailable to us. If red meat is eaten in balance with fish, vegetables and fruit a great foundation for weight loss and health can be easily achieved. The benefits of red meat consumption are long and vast and not strictly found in this article, try a wide variety of cuts to explore the various nutrients from nose to tail eating.

Further Reading:

A great post on are humans really carnivores?